Envelop moistening and sealing machine.



W. J. BROWN.

ENVELOP MOISTBNING AND SEALING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 001280, 1913.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

53 INVENTOR H0 2/ H0 firoww W. J. BROWN. BNV ELOP MOISIENING AND SEALING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OGT.30.1913.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

3 SHEETS-"SHEET 2.

INVENTOR WI Elva/l3- fjM i ATTQHNEY 1H5 NORRIS PETERS Co PHOTO LITHD WASHINGTON. a, c

W. J. BROWN.

ENVELOP MOISTENING AND SEALING MAGHIN APPLICATION FILED ()GT.3(). 1913.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

3 SHEBTS--SHEET 3v INVENTOH a W, End/1A7.

ATTORNEY k I R 5 7. .5 z W W n i .nHQm l Prmm WILLIAM J. BROWN, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

ENVELOP MOISTENING AND SEALING MACHINE.

' Application filed October 30, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. BROWN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelop Moistening and Sealing Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to an envelop moistening and sealing machine, and has for its object to provide a machine of such class, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, for automatically moistening and sealing successively envelops.

Further objects of the invention are to provide an envelop moistening and sealing machine, which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, efficient and convenient in its use, automatic in its action, readily set up and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangements of parts as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is tobe understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views :Figure l is a front elevation of anenv'elop moistening and sealing machine, in accordance with this invention, Fig. 2 is a top plan, partly in section, and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the machine. I

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, 1 denotes an angle-shaped base having triangular reinforcing webs 2, which are formed integral with the vertical and horizontal leg of the base 1.

Formed integral with the outer face of the vertical le of the base 1 are depending yoke-shaped brackets 3, each of which has a sleeve 4, which is interiorly threaded and with which communicates a vertically disposed clamping screw 5, the latter having a head 6 and a thumb piece 7. The brackets 3 and screw 5 provide a clamp for fixedly securing the base 1 to a support 8.

Opposing the vertical legnof the base 1, is

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914:. Serial No. 758,284.

1* rmed integral and projecting from the top edge of the vertical leg of the base 1, is an upright 14, the latter opposing a complemental upright 15 formed integral with the top edge of the member 9. Each of the uprights 14, 15, is provided with a vertically disposed guide way 16, for a purpose to be presently referred to.

Formed integral with and projecting from the vertical leg of the base 1 and the member 9 are longitudinally extending supporting rods 17, 18, which also constitute tracks. Each of said rods has its inner longitudinal edge provided with an angleshaped member 19, the vertical leg of which is formed with a longitudinally extending slot 20. A

Depending below the rods 18, 19 is a storage receptacle for the envelops to be moistened and sealed and said receptacle consists of a pair of each including a bottom 21, one side wall 22, and a front wall 23, the latter being formed with an offset portion 24, which eX- tends into a pocket 25, formed in the member 10.

Projecting from the offset portion 2% is a threaded bolt 26, the latter extending through a slot 27 in the member 10 and carrying a thumb nut 28.

The adjustable members of the storage receptacle are oppositely disposed with respect to each other and by setting up each member in the manner as stated, the members can be laterally adjusted with respect to each other to vary the size of the storage receptacle. Each adjustable member, has its side wall 22 provided with a plurality of openings 29 through which are adapted to extend adjusting screws 30 for adjustably connecting its respective adjustable member of the storage receptacle. The angle-shaped memadjustable members,

an angle-shaped member 31 to bers 31 associate with the adjustable memhere to vary the size of the storage receptacle.

Arranged within thestorage receptacle, the latter being referred to generally by the reference character 32 is a follower plate 33, upon which the envelops are packed with the flap extended, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fi g. 2. Each adj ustable member of the storage receptacle 32 is provided, near its top with a shaft 34, mounted in bearings 35 and carrying the plurality of followers 36. Over a pulley on each shaft 34 passes a flexible elevating member 37.

The members 37 are connected at their lower ends with the follower plate 33 and extend at their upper portions through the side walls 22 of the adjustable members of the storage receptacle 32 and have connected to'their outer ends weights 38. Each of the adjustable members of the storage receptacle 32 has its side 22 provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending slots 39, for the passage of the heads 40 on the extensions 41 which depend from the follower plate 33, and to the heads 40 is attached the lower ends of the flexible members 37. V

Travelingupon the top of the storage receptacle 32, is a reciprocatory pusher 42, which is guided by the horizontal legs of the angle-shaped members 19 and the function of which is to push an envelop off the pack in the storage receptacle and position the envelop so that its flap can be moistened and sealed. The pusher 42 is pivotally connected to a pair of operating arms 43, 44, the connection is indicated at 45 and said arms 43, 44 are provided with rollers 46, traveling upon the bars 17, 18. The connection between the arm 43 and 44 and the pusher 42 extend through the slots 20. The pusher 42 is utilized for positioning the envelop upon a pair of folding plates 47, 48, which are mounted upon the platform 11 and have their inner edges spaced from each other. The plate 47 is provided with a pair of guides 49 for the envelop, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2.

The opposing longitudinal edges of the plates 47, 48, when the plates are in normal position form a continuation of thelongitudinal walls of the slot or opening 12, the plate 47 is pivotally mounted at one end, as at 49 in the upright 15, and the plate 48' is pivotally mounted at one end as at 50, in the upright 15. The other end of the plate 47 is provided with a shaft 51, mounted in the upright 14, projects from said upright and carries a narrow pinion 52, the latter meshes with a wide pinion 53 carried on a shaft 54,

which is mounted in the upright 14 and connected to the other end of the plate 48. lVhen the pinion 53 is actuated motion will be imparted to the pinion'52, under such conditions the plates 47, 48, will be shifted upon their shafts and pivots so as to fold toward each other.

Mounted" upon the horizontal leg of the base 1 is an electric motor 55, having the shaft 56 thereof provided with agearIwheel 57, which meshes with and drives a gear wheel 58, the latter being carried by one end of a roll shaft 59, the roll carried by said shaft being indicated at 60. The shaft is journaled in the vertical leg of the base 1 and the member 58 has, fixed thereto a quadrant shaped r'ack'6l, which engages with the pinion 53, for actuating it to shift the folding, plates 47, 48. 1

The gearwheel 58*is provided with a stud or pin 62, upon which is pivotally mounted the lelve'r end of a link 53, the latter beingv pivotally connected at its" upper end to a lateral extension 64 carried by a bracket 65, to which is attached a moistening device 66. The reference characters? denotes a bracket which is secured to the moistening device 66, andwhich has a lateral extension 68, having pivotally connected thereto the upper end of a lihk'69, the latter having its lower end pi'votally connected to a pin 7 0, carried at the outer end of a link 71', mounted upon the other end of the shaft 59. The brackets 67 travel in the guides 16 in the uprights 14, 15 and by such an arrangement, when the gear wheel 58 is revolved, the moistening device 66 is reciprocated in the uprights 14, 15.

The operating arm 43, as well as the op- C' crating arm 44, has inclined intermediate portion to previde the end portions to extend in parallel planes and to further provide clearances for the operation of the links 63, 69. The operating arm 43, when I the connection therebetween and the pusher 42 is as illustrated in Fig. 3, is pivotally connected as at 72 to a crank arm 73 intermediate the ends of said crank arm, but if the connection for the operating arm 43 should be at the point in the pusher 42, as indicated at 74, the operating arm 43, would be connected to the end 7 5. ofthe crank arm 73. The crank arm 7 3 is carried by the pin 70. The pin 62 is provided with a crank arm 76, and to which the operating arm 44 is connected as indicated at 77, but if the point of connection between the operating arm 44 and the pusher is opposite the point of connection indicated at 74, the operating arm 44 would be connected to the end 78 of the crank arm 76.

Associted with the roll'60, is a cushioned roll 7 9, which in connection with the roll 60 provide means for sealing the flap of the envelop in a manner to be hereinafter referred to. The operation of the roll 60 will cause the roll 7 9 to revolve. -The roll base 1 and the member 9.

Arranged below the sealing rolls 60, 7 9, and formed integral with the vertical leg of the base 1 and the member 9 is a chute 80, for the sealed envelops. A suitable receptacle, not shown, may be arranged below the chute 80.

By providing the storage receptacle with the counterbalanced follower, the envelop is always positioned. in the path of the pusher d2, so that the latter can shift the envelop to position the same upon the following plates 47, 48 so that the adhesive open flap can be moistened and the following plates utilized to fold the flaps against the body of the envelop and cause the folded envelop to slide through the opening or slot 12 and be engaged and operated upon by the sealing rollers.

It is thought in View of the foregoing description that the operation of the ma chine can be understood, but it will be stated that as the pusher moves to position an envelop upon the following plates, the moistening device moves downwardly to moisten the adhesive upon the flap. This operation is had through the connection of the operating arms d3, 44, with the links 68, 69. After the pusher recedes and clears the plate 47, the rack 61, which is carried by the gear wheel 58 engages and operates the pinion 58, the latter meshing with the pinion 52 will elevate the plates 47, 48, thereby folding the flap against the body. Owing to the inclination of the plates d7, d8, the

folded envelop will pass down through the slot 12 and then through the guide 13 and be acted upon by the sealing rollers, the sealed envelop passing from the rollers into the chute 80. The roller 60 is driven from the gear 58.

The moistening device 66 includes a reservoir 81 provided with a filling opening closed by a cap 83.

hat I claim is 1. An envelop moistening and sealing machine comprising a storage receptacle, a platform, a pair of oscillatory envelop folding plates mounted upon said platform, a reciprooatory moistening device, a pusher for shifting envelops from said receptacle to position them upon said plates and in the path of said moistening device, a sealing means arranged below said plates, means for simultaneously operating said m0istening device, pusher and sealer device, and

means for intermittently operating said plates for folding the envelop after being moistened and feeding it to the sealing device.

2. A machine for moistening and sealing envelops comprising a pair of oscillatory envelop folding plates adapted to receive an envelop with its flap extended, a reciprocatory moistening device for moistening said flap, means for oscillating said plates to fold the envelops vertically above the plates, a sealing device disposed below the plates and operating simultaneously with the moistening device.

8. An envelop moistening and sealing device comprising a pair of oscillatory envelop folding plates, a reciprocatory pusher for positioning an envelop with its flap extended upon said plates to be folded and in the path of a moistening device, a reciprocatory moistening device operating simul taneously with said pusher and adapted to moisten the flap of the envelop upon said folding plates, means for operating said plates to fold the flap of the envelop against its body after the flap has been moistened, means for directing the folding envelop to a sealing device, and a sealing device adapted to take up the folded envelop for sealing it. 1

41-. An envelop moistening and sealing machine comprising a sealing device including a pair of sealing rollers, one operated by the other, a rotatable element connected to one of said rolls for operating it, a pair of envelop folding plates, a reciprocatory pusher for positioning an envelop with its flap extended upon said plates and in the path of a moistening device, a reciprocating moistening device for moistening the flap of the envelop upon said plates, means for operatively connecting said pusher and operating device to said driven roll and rotatable element, operating means for said plates actuated from said rotatable element whereby said plates are shifted to fold the moistened flap against the body of the envelop.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM J. BROVN.

Witnesses:

N. L. BOGAN, R. C. Evnn'r.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. O." 

